Running on the campaign slogan to “Put a real Schmuck in the White House,” Wilmington’s own Dwight Schmuck announced his write-in bid for US president. Schmuck promised to withdraw troops from their deployments around the world, single-payer health care, a tax code that eliminates all tax breaks, a ban on lobbyists, and the demolition of a wall that was under construction along the border with Mexico. Like all serious presidential contenders, Schmuck published a biographical book, called “A Schmuck’s-Eye View.”

15 years ago:

The state environmental court ruled in favor of a Wilmington Village business owner’s application to install vinyl siding on his building in an appeal of a decision by the town’s planning commission. In his decision, the judge ruled that the village design control standards did not require replacement of materials with an “exact copy” of existing materials. The building, known as the “bank building,” was destroyed by fire a few years after the renovations.

Filmmaker Jay Craven and writer Matthew Temple were in Halifax, filming scenes from their new movie “Senses of Place.” The film included cameo appearances by Fred Tuttle and Rusty Dewees.

20 years ago:

The Chimney Hill Home Owners Association and the town of Wilmington were in Vermont Superior Court battling over the maintenance of roads in Chimney Hill. The town had rejected CHOA requests to take over Chimney Hill roads, ruling that the homeowners’ association had failed to present evidence that the takeover would serve the public good. CHOA argued that it was a matter of fairness – Chimney Hill homeowners paid an annual total of $961,825 in property taxes to the town and school district, with little return on their money.

25 years ago:

Wilmington officials agreed to sign a letter requesting that Coldbrook Road be designated as a “major collector road” from Route 100 to Haystack Ski Area. The designation would bring in federal and state transportation dollars for construction or reconstruction of the road.

Wilmington increased its tuition rate at the middle/high school by $800, from $6,300 to $7,100. Elementary tuition was $4,400.

30 years ago:

In a brief profile of local people, Jacksonville resident Buddy Holland listed his occupations as “zoning administrator, health officer, mailman, bus driver, auctioneer, Amway distributor, lay preacher, chairman of the board of civil authority, and president of the Village of Jacksonville Electric Company.” He listed his hobby as “looking for steady work.”

Residents of East Main Street in Wilmington were concerned about the town’s plan to install new sewer lines. Property owners complained that the 20-foot easements the town proposed were too wide, and that it would be too costly for residents to hook up. Selectboard members agreed to changes that would minimize the cost to connect to the system, but they said the 20-foot easements were necessary under state and federal requirements.

35 years ago:

A group that included Wilmington Lions Club members abandoned their plan to build the “Valley Ice Rink” on Route 100. Three years earlier, a Lions Club member discovered a rink near Montpelier that was for sale, and formed a Valley Ice Rink group to purchase, dismantle, and transport the rink to Wilmington. The group leased land on Route 100 near the Maple Grove Honey Museum (now WW Building Supply), but soon ran into problems. The cost of assembling the rink and getting it open was higher than expected. Plastic tubing deteriorated in the ground and had to be replaced. A new Zamboni had to be purchased. The rink finally opened in January 1980, but skaters didn’t show up in the numbers that had been expected. A town in Maine purchased the remaining equipment for $35,000.

45 years ago:

The town of Wilmington asked Haystack Corp., Vermont’s largest developer, to show cause why its zoning permit should not be revoked. A week earlier, the town reported 14 violations of Haystack’s permit. Haystack denied the charges.

Mount Snow sought permits for their “aerobus,” a passenger-carrying tramway between Snow Mountain Inn and the base lodge. The “aerobus” carried 30 passengers in a single enclosed tramcar. The large tramcar was already onsite, and Mount Snow called in owner of the manufacturing firm, Gerhardt Mueller of Mueller Lifts, Ltd., to assist with engineering data needed for the state permit.

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